Mezopotamya Women Journalists Association (MGK) made a written statement on Kurdish Women Journalists' Day. The statement emphasized the importance of Kurdish Women Journalists' Day on October 8, the anniversary of the death of Gurbetelli Ersöz, the first woman Editor-in-Chief of Özgür Gündem Newspaper and a pioneer in the history of the Turkish and Kurdish press, and emphasized that the legacy left by Ersöz is protected. 

 

IN PURSUIT OF THE TRUTH

 

The statement said: “In memory of Gurbetelli, who died on October 8, 1997, Kurdish women journalists continue their struggle to strengthen the presence and voice of women in the press. This struggle emphasizes the importance of women taking their rightful place in the media and in social life. Every step Gurbetelli took and every word she wrote symbolized the resistance for a free press and women's voice. The legacy left by Gurbetelli, who shouted out the truth by saying 'this fire will burn you too', continues to feed the courage and faith of Kurdish women journalists. Today, despite pressures, detentions and arrests, women journalists pursuing the truth continue their resistance against the masculine language of the media. Kurdish women journalists, who face pressure and threats in the field, work with great devotion to maintain the existence of a free press. The fact that journalist Rabia Önver was subjected to pressure for her reporting in Colemêrg (Hakkari) is a concrete example of this pressure. However, Rabia and Kurdish women journalists like her continue to stubbornly pursue the search for truth.” 

 

MURDERED WOMEN JOURNALISTS COMMEMORATED

 

The statement, which also commemorated journalists Gulistan Tara and Hero Bahaddîn, who were killed by a Turkish drone strike on August 23 in the city of Silêmanî in the Federated Kurdistan Region, and journalist Nagihan Akarsel, who was murdered on October 4, 2022, pointed out that the attack was part of the ongoing repression against the tradition of free press and women journalists. It was stated: “Gülistan and Hero, just like Gurbetelli and Nagihan, took their place in the resistance as defenders of the free press struggle. Their legacy will further strengthen the spirit of resistance of the free press. Today, as we commemorate the revolutionary journalists Gurbetelli Ersöz, Nagihan Akarsel, Gülistan Tara and Hero Bahadin, we promise that we will continue to walk in their path with determination. As Kurdish women journalists, we believe that the truth will not remain in the dark with the philosophy of 'Jin, Jîyan, Azadî' and we emphasize that we will continue our struggle.”

 

'MGK WILL CARRY THE LEGACY INTO THE FUTURE'

 

Lastly, it was reminded that MGK was established on October 7, 2023 and continued as follows: “MKG will continue its efforts to ensure that women journalists take a more active role in the struggle for a free press and will continue to make their voices heard in every field. The establishment of MKG will carry this legacy into the future as a symbol of the courageous and determined stance of Kurdish women journalists in the search for truth.”